Google unveils 3D mapping service allowing users to explore London in graphic detail

 
Exploring the city: The view across the Thames and the Houses of Parliament (Google/PA)
Google/PA Wire
Gareth Vipers17 July 2014

Soaring over the Palace of Westminster and down the Thames towards the majestic dome of St Paul’s used to be a sight-seeing journey reserved for air ambulance crew and a few lucky private helicopter passengers.

Soon we’ll all be able to explore the London skyline as Google unveils its latest technology – an accurate 3D maps service.

Using 45-degree aerial imagery, Google has recreated the capital’s landscape, landmarks and terrains in stunning 3D.

Every building in London is included, appearing in realistic detail when users zoom in on existing services Google Maps and Google Earth.

Once zoomed in users will be able to pan, tilt and rotate to explore their chosen London location.

Google 3D: in pictures

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The capital is the fifth city in the UK to be recreated in 3D, following Birmingham, Leeds, Reading and Stoke on Trent.

A Google Maps spokesman said: "Using 45-degree aerial imagery, we're able to recreate entire metropolitan areas in 3D.

"This means every building, not just the famous landmarks, the terrain, and any surrounding landscape of trees are included to provide a much more accurate and realistic experience of the city.

"As you zoom into London on Google Maps or Google Earth, buildings and terrain will start to appear in 3D."

Google began adding texture to buildings back in 2006, but it was only two years ago that the tech giant started adding 3D models to its maps services.

Designers begin by using grey blocks for building from geographic information system data.

They then replace the blocks with models created using modelling software such as SketchUp.

Trees and shrubbery are then automatically generated according to the size and shape of what’s visible in the photographs.

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